Senators urge president to approve disaster declaration

Wednesday

Aug 28, 2013 at 7:35 PM

Missouri Sens. Claire McCaskill and Roy Blunt sent a letter to President Obama Wednesday in order to support a disaster designation for 22 Missouri counties that were affected by flooding and flash flooding earlier this month.

Staff Reports

Missouri Sens. Claire McCaskill and Roy Blunt sent a letter to President Obama Wednesday in order to support a disaster designation for 22 Missouri counties that were affected by flooding and flash flooding earlier this month.McCaskill and Blunt’s bipartisan letter follows a formal request from Gov. Jay Nixon made Tuesday.“In light of the serious impact of this event on lives and property in the areas that has occurred, it is our sincere hope that you will grant Governor Nixon’s request in a prompt manner, to help in the recovery of residents and communities affected by this disaster. Along with our fellow Missourians, we eagerly await your decision on this request for assistance,” their letter reads.After joint preliminary damage assessments conducted by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Small Business Administration and state and local agencies, Nixon specifically requested both public and individual assistance for Phelps, Pulaski, Maries, Texas, Barry, Camden, Dallas, Laclede, McDonald, Miller, Osage, Ozark, Taney and Webster counties.Nixon also sought only public assistance for Cedar, Dade, Shannon and Wright counties and individual assistance for Dent, Gasconade, Morgan and Polk counties.Individual assistance means that eligible individuals and households can seek federal assistance for uninsured losses from severe weather and flooding.Public assistance allows local governments to seek assistance for response and recovery expenses associated with the severe weather and flooding.